Governor Kelly completes a two-day series of discussions on public education

TOPEKA, KS (WIBW) – On Wednesday, April 12, KS Governor Laura Kelly Completed a two-day series of discussions on public education in Western Kansas.

the Governor’s office Governor Kelly announced a visit to Dodge City High School and Garden City High School to discuss the importance of continuing to fully fund public and private education.

“I am always amazed by the commitment of our teachers to providing our students with a quality education across the state. That commitment could not be more evident than at both Dodge City and Garden City High Schools,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. so on their own. We must continue to fully fund public education – and begin fully funding private education – to ensure that our teachers have the resources they need to deliver the best quality education to our students in every corner of the state.”

Governor Kelly’s first stop involved a roundtable discussion on special education at Dodge City High School. During the roundtable discussion, Governor Laura Kelly was joined by Dodge City teachers, parents, and state legislators.

“The men and women who serve students with special needs in our great nation are incredibly inspiring people. Their desire and skill are a source of hope for their students.” State Representative Jason Goetz. “My son Mason has Down Syndrome and has received excellent educational care with a staff of $443,613. Thank you to everyone involved in the discussion today and blessings to you for your work in care.”

Other round table participants included:

• Matt Legge, Director, Southwest Kansas Cooperative District (SKACD)
• Judy Zapata, Deputy Clerk, SKACD Board of Directors
• Tessa Hyatt, Special Education Teacher, SKACD
• Dr.. Fred Dirksen, Superintendent, Dodge City US $443
• Jonathan Hansen, Assistant Principal, Dodge City High School
• Martha Mendoza, Principal, Dodge City High School
• Kerry Baker, Director of Public Information, Dodge City $443

Governor Kelly’s second stop included a roundtable discussion that focused on efforts to address teacher shortages at Garden City High School, as well as the Garden City teacher training program.

The governor’s office said the apprenticeship program is the first of its kind in Kansas history. Its goal is to recruit and train locals for teaching positions in an area with many openings. The program has placed nine apprentices into needy classrooms since it began in 2019. The apprenticeship program is a joint partnership between Kansas WorkforceONE—the local Workforce Development Board of Western Kansas—and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeships that the governor created last fall.

Attendees from the roundtable discussion shared their thoughts:

“We are honored that Governor Kelly visited Garden City Public Schools to highlight the state’s first teacher training program, which began four years ago to help bridge the gap with teacher shortages in our community,” said Afton Hack, Human Resources Coordinator for Garden City Public Schools. “This program provides invaluable classroom experience as a professional assistant, long before participants become licensed teachers. I am excited to see teacher training programs grow across the state and fill teaching positions that are critical to Kansas’ future success.”

“If the trainee program didn’t allow me to gain experience and still hold my prominent position, I wouldn’t be able to complete my degree. As a single mother, I wouldn’t be able to do a semester of Teaching to students without pay and benefits. “The cadet program allowed me to do both — get my experience and provide for my family.”

“Our rural schools do more than educate our students – they serve entire communities through employment, activities and recreation,” he said. Senator John Dole. “As a former educator, I believe the best way we can support our students, teachers, and school districts is to fully fund public education, especially for our rural schools, and continue efforts to attract and retain teachers.”

Other round table participants included:

• Rep. Bob Lewis, R Garden City
• Dr. Mike Dominguez, superintendent of $457, Garden City Public Schools
• Tracy Laker, principal, Victor Ornelas Elementary School

On Thursday, April 13, Governor Kelly continued her two-day tour of educational facilities in western Kansas. Governor Kelly discussed workforce readiness at Colby High School and the challenges facing rural schools at Ellis High School.

“Public schools are the beating heart of our rural communities,” said Governor Kelly. “It provides a safe learning environment for our children and it employs many local residents. That is why it is imperative that we keep public dollars in public schools, especially in places like Colby and Ellis.”

During a roundtable discussion at Colby High School, Governor Kelly joined students, educators, administrators, and agricultural business leaders to focus on education and workplace readiness. They discussed programs offered at Colby High School that ensure students receive awards for entry into the workforce when they graduate, including its partnership with Northwest Kansas Technical College.

Colby High School invests in agriculture programs to help prepare the next generation of farmers in our state. High school students can earn degrees in animal science, comprehensive agriculture and beef quality assurance, and the community is preparing to build a new agricultural technology and education center.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to share the ‘Build Our Office’ commission’s vision with Governor Kelly,” said Katina Breen, superintendent of Colby Public Schools. “We believe that when community members, industry, and school staff work together, we can strengthen programs and enable students to meet the needs of the agricultural industry.”

Other round table participants included:

• Chris Lyman, Chairman and Vice President of Accounting for Western Kansas Farm Credit $315;
• Bill Shields with United Agri Products in Colby;
• David Oren, with American IBT at Colby;
• Jayla Rush, principal of Colby High School and president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), W
• Mason Kersenbrock, Colby High School senior who has completed a Workforce Readiness program with an emphasis in agriculture, agricultural operations, and related sciences.

During her final stop in western Kansas, Governor Kelly received a standing ovation from the students of Washington Elementary School before her visit to Ellis High School. During her visit, Governor Kelly convened a roundtable discussion involving students, parents, administrators, local elected officials, and educators to discuss the unique challenges facing rural school districts.

The governor’s office said the group discussed the importance of continuing to fully fund public education, the need to fully fund private education, how rural school districts serve their communities beyond educating students, and how to overcome student and teacher retention challenges in rural school districts.

Ellis High School roundtable participants included:

• Dave McDaniel Mayor Ellis.
• Randy Honas, President, Ellis Board of Education $388;
• Kyle Carlin, Assistant Director of the West Central Kansas/Hays Special Education Cooperative $489;
• John Beefort, Washington Grade School Principal;
• Janice Wilson, supervisor, $388
• Kayla Ford, parent of $388 and director of collections at Hayes Public Library;
• Donna SchmidtAnd the Ellis Junior/High School Principal;
• Brian Shannon, $388 parent, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office investigator, $388 Board of Education member;
• Matt Davenport, Ellis $388 student teacher;
• Libby Starnes, $388; Parents; $388;
• Ellis High School student Liam Crawford, W.J
• Travis Colross, AB $388.

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